Rebirth

  Rebirth

  When Yin Ruofei opened his eyes, he saw the elegant and introverted curtains, and was directly stunned. Where is this? This style and texture are what he likes most, but he hasn't seen such curtains for many years.

  Because he didn't have much money, he moved several times and the last place he lived was barely a doghouse, not even worthy of being called that in the eyes of those people from the Hou Mansion. The quilts were all made of the cheapest cotton fabric and the worst quality cotton batting. Where would he have gotten the money to buy these things?

  Could it be Ninth Sister? Was it Ninth Sister who saved and settled him?

  As soon as he thought of Jiu Mei, Yin Ruofei felt like his heart was being pinched and twisted in someone's hand, and he immediately struggled to get up.

  Yin Ruofei struggled to get up, only to find that she seemed to have shrunk a lot. She raised her hand and looked at it, the palm was delicate and white, but not adult-sized, and each fingernail was trimmed neatly, shining with a pink luster.

  "This is...!" Yin Ruofei was startled, whose body is this? Only now did he suddenly remember that he had died miserably on the street, could it be that he had already gone to hell?

  Why should hell have eighteen levels, each one exerting the utmost in cruel punishment, making it impossible for people to be reborn? And how could there be such a comfortable environment, and yet so much in line with one's own heart's desire.

  Yin Ruofei slowly got up, lifted the bed curtain, and a faint fragrance wafted into his nostrils. It was actually Suhe Xiang, his favorite scent from his early years. This was specially prepared for him by Zi Ling, his trusted maid. The ordinary Suhe Xiang was mixed with spices, initially presenting a slightly sweet red date flavor, which gradually transformed into a deep and slightly bitter taste, yet not too heavy.

  Neither too heavy nor too light, even the old lady at that time praised him endlessly. However, since his mother passed away, the family has undergone tremendous changes, and Ziling died a terrible death, so the method of blending this spice was lost forever.

  At this moment, Yin Ruofei suddenly smelled a familiar scent and was stunned, her nose sour and tears almost falling.

  "Seventh Master, how did you come down?" The newcomer's voice was gentle and soft, yet with a hint of familiarity, accompanied by a faint fragrance that wrapped around Yin Ruofei. "Your body hasn't fully recovered, why don't you rest some more?"

  "Zi... Zi Ling?" Yin Ruofei's eyes widened as she stared at the familiar face in front of her, a face that hadn't been seen for many years. That not-so-outstanding appearance, the cute nose, and those few freckles were all just like they were in her memory. "Zi Ling... it really is you..."

  Zi Ling smiled and helped Yin Ruo Fei lie down, "Seventh Master, quickly lie down. I didn't expect that after just returning home for a few days, you would fall into the pool and only wake up now. Fortunately, several young servants were clever and knew to go save people, humph. Next time be more careful, or else they'll get a scolding!" Zi Ling spoke quickly and waved her handkerchief, leaning down to carefully tuck the quilt around Yin Ruo Fei again, softly comforting him, "Look at how pitiful our Seventh Master is, okay? Don't worry, Zi Ling is right beside you, if Seventh Master wants water or anything, just call out for Zi Ling."

  Zi Ling slightly lifted the curtain by the bed, leaving a small gap, and then took up her needlework basket to start sewing.

  Yin Ruofei's eyes were wide open, greedily taking in everything. His heart was racing with excitement. Was all of this really true? Zi Ling had appeared before him once again, and this room... he looked around, and it was actually the same room he had lived in as a child.

  Is it possible that heaven has opened its eyes and he has returned to his former self? He had an impression, when he was young, he really got seriously ill once, which was not long after his mother passed away. Vaguely remembered that he fell into the water, fainted for a day before waking up. It's just that at that time, he was young and it has been a long time ago, so he had already forgotten what happened. Now thinking about it, this must not be a coincidence.

  Yin Ruofei's tears quietly fell, but the fist under the quilt was tightly clenched: Reborn, he must not be as weak as in his previous life. For his sisters and for himself, he must live a brilliant life and trample those people underfoot!

  Perhaps she was too exhausted, Yin Ruofei fell asleep in a daze, and didn't know how much time had passed before being awakened by the sweet aroma of rice.

  "Zi Ling..." Yin Ruofei's voice was a little hoarse. Through the slightly opened bed curtain, Zi Ling was no longer by the bedside.

  "Is Seventh Grandfather awake?" A little maid happened to enter the room, heard Yin Ruofei's call, and hastily poured out half a bowl of tea water, handing it to Yin Ruofei's mouth.

  Yin Ruofei was thirsty and took a light sip, then started drinking in big gulps.

  "Seventh Master, drink slowly. Zi Ling sister is so considerate, knowing Seventh Master was about to wake up, she brewed this tea in advance, and it's just right for drinking now." The little maid covered her mouth and giggled, taking the empty bowl from Yin Ruofei's hand, and helped him down from bed, quickly tidying up his clothes and the bedding behind him. "The small kitchen has been keeping congee warm all along, Seventh Master, do you want to eat it now or..."

  Yin Ruofei rubbed his belly and felt hungry indeed, "Let's eat now."

  The little girl responded with a crisp "yes" and turned to close the door. Before long, she came in with Ziling and another little girl, bowed to Yin Ruofei, and neatly arranged several small dishes on the table from the tray in her hand.

  These two were the little maids serving in Yin Ruofei's house. In this house, there were two first-class big maids, Ziling was responsible for taking care of Yin Ruofei's daily life, and Zi Yun took charge of his money and belongings. The two had two second-class small maids under their hands, two were responsible for food and drink, and the other two were in charge of needlework. Outside, there were several third-class small maids who swept and cleaned, as well as a gatekeeper woman.

  Besides, Yin Ruofei was young after all and a boy at that, with two servants by his side, one of whom was an older attendant.

  Although the Yin family is a marquis's residence, Yin Haicheng has always been quite low-key and doesn't like to show off, so there aren't as many people around his eldest son as outsiders might imagine. Among officials of the same rank, they are considered relatively simple and unpretentious.

  Two little maidservants floated in and out, having arranged the dishes. Ziliang first ladled a bowl of soup, stirring it gently several times, letting it cool slightly before handing it to Yin Ruofei, saying softly, "Seventh Master, have a bowl of soup first." Having gone a whole day without eating, Ziliang was afraid his stomach wouldn't be able to take it. Yin Ruofei smiled and took the bowl, drinking from it lightly.

  A bowl of bamboo shoots, chicken and egg drop soup, the broth is clear and light yellow, with tender white chicken shreds and a few green onion tips sprinkled on top. The aroma wafts up before even taking a sip. Upon entry, it's crisp, smooth, tender and fragrant, with a hint of acidity that really opens up the appetite.

  Yin Ruofei was originally hungry and had already finished the small bowl of soup in a few mouthfuls. Zilong had already filled another delicate porcelain small bowl with porridge and handed it over.

  "Zi Ling sister's craftsmanship is still so good." Yin Ruofei said, while eating a small dish and filling her mouth with porridge, smiling at Zi Ling.

  "Seventh Master, eat slowly." Zileng wiped the oil from his mouth with a handkerchief. "The second mistress came by earlier, but the young master hasn't woken up yet. I saw that the second mistress wasn't feeling well, so I advised her to go back, Seventh Master..."

  Zi Ling cautiously opened her mouth, not that she didn't want to let the second lady see their young master, but it was because of the suspicious circumstances surrounding their young master's fall into the water last night. Zi Yun had already gone to investigate this matter, and the old lady's side hadn't dared to hide it, they had already reported it up, the old lady hesitated for a long time before letting them carefully attend to him, declining all visits.

  It was precisely because of the old lady's presence that Ziling dared to intercept the second lady. She had many suspicions about the second lady, but her status was lowly and she didn't dare speak out of turn. However, this matter of the second lady visiting the sick couldn't be kept from their own young master.

  "Uh-huh. I see." Yin Ruofei paused for a moment, continuing to eat calmly. He knew what Zi Ling meant, but right now the most important thing wasn't to take down his opponent. There was no opportunity, nor the strength to do so. His mother was already gone, and now his key goal was to find a good backer, slowly erode his opponent's power, and then find out who the real culprit was behind the scenes.

  That's right. His mother's death back then was definitely not accidental. A person went from falling ill to passing away, without any warning signs. Although it is said that illness can come suddenly, based on his many years of experience in the medical field, he knew this was impossible.

  Even if it's a wicked disease, there are characteristics. He remembered that before his mother fell ill, she always felt uncomfortable in her intestines and stomach, while the second lady, who was his father's concubine and his mother's younger sister, often sent porridge and soup to his mother. Thinking about what happened later, his mother's death must have been related to this second lady!

  Author's note: This article involves house fighting, political fighting, food, and medicine... Please automatically lower my level to the lowest for the last item.

  The content is complex and slow-burning, so I appreciate everyone's patience; I'll try to update daily.